Lest We Forget

My daughter, Lisa and I enjoyed the experience of conversing with the locals within this beautiful, diverse country, where many of our first ANZACS never even made it past its shores of Gallipoli.

The people in Turkey are generally warm and hospitable and hold the utmost respect for our ANZACS.

Quite often, I came across this extract of the memorable letter that Ataturk wrote to the Australian people in 1934...

"You, the mothers, who sent their sons

from far away countries,

wipe away your tears;

Your sons are now lying in our bosom

and are at peace.

After having lost their lives on this land,

they have become our sons as well."

Lest We Forget

Julie and Lisa go to Turkey

Emirates - Business Class

With two plane tickets in business class

Lisa pondered on who she would ask

She wanted someone adventurous and fun

So decided to invite her joyful mum

Beaming with excitement with bags in tow

Off to Turkey they decided to go

Gorging on food and champagne all the way

They reached their destination at the end of the day

Istanbul

Alas, on their arrival at Romantic Hotel

With no room available, all was not well

Apparently “insects” were found on the bed

They got given the basement room instead

Istanbul

They were later upgraded and got beer for free

And danced to the “Land Down Under” with glee

Through warm sunny days and clear balmy nights

They feasted on seafood and Turkish delights

Cappadocia

They travelled on further to see and explore

Many other places and they loved them all

Lisa went up in a hot air balloon -

Where she picked apples, she was over the moon

Sleeping in a cave was different for sure

Something they never experienced before

They relaxed on a cruise and swam in the sea

Basking in the sun whilst sipping on tea

Antalya, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea 2011

They laughed and giggled most of the time

But occasionally things were not so fine

Some nights Lisa couldn’t sleep at all

Because of Julie’s ongoing snore

Antalya

And when Julie took photos, Lisa got mad

Since Julie’s photography was pretty bad

But Julie was happy to do her own thing

Even buying herself a beautiful ring

Julie is grateful and feels she oughta

Personally thank her beautiful daughter

For this trip was undoubtedly like no other

Lisa must be thrilled to have Julie as her Mother!

Cappadocia

Delightfully Turkish

Romantic Hotel Istanbul - 2011

On arrival at “Romantic Hotel” on our first night in Istanbul, the room reserved for us was unavailable due to an “insect” problem – more likely bed-bugs we thought.

The hotel manager could not apologise enough, he even showed us the evidence in the room.

Since the small hotel was fully booked, he could only offer a small room for the night in the basement opposite the office.

Lisa and I were not too fussed, so long as we had a clean, comfortable bed, since we were totally exhausted. After all, travelling business class with Emirates from Perth to Istanbul via Dubai, sipping Verve champagne all the way, definitely takes its toll.

Our room in Romantic Hotel Istanbul

The following day, we were upgraded to the “Grande Suite” on the top floor. It was rustic and feminine, decked out in antique furniture, silk rugs, chandeliers and a long balcony over the roof tops.